News Investigators/ Ghanaian President, John Mahama has urged African graduates to embrace entrepreneurship, innovation and continuous learning to contribute to the continent’s economic development.
Mahama gave the advice on Monday in Offa, Kwara State, while delivering an address at the maiden convocation of the University of Offa.
The president, who was represented by Ghana’s High Commissioner-designate to Nigeria, Baba Sadiq-Abu, said academic certificates should serve as a foundation for further learning and innovation rather than an end in themselves.
According to him, Africa needs graduates who can identify problems, develop solutions, create value and generate employment opportunities for themselves and others.
He said that although securing employment remained a legitimate ambition, the changing global economy requires graduates to develop entrepreneurial skills and adapt to emerging technologies.
Mahama said that government at all levels also had a responsibility to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive through quality education, adequate infrastructure, access to finance and stable institutions.
He urged the graduating students to embrace continuous learning, build their enterprises on integrity and explore opportunities beyond their immediate communities.
The Ghanaian president identified artificial intelligence, digital technologies and climate change as factors reshaping the global economy, urging graduates to acquire relevant skills to remain competitive.
He however, cautioned that entrepreneurship must be guided by ethical values, stressing the need for them to honour agreements, treat workers with dignity, protect customers and respect the environment.
He also encouraged the graduates to explore opportunities across Africa, noting that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provided a platform for businesses to expand across national borders.
”A stronger cooperation among African countries, universities and businesses will promote economic integration and accelerate development,” he said.
The president, who is also the African Union Champion on AU Financial Institutions, stressed the need for stronger continental financial institutions to support Africa’s development ambitions.
He said that young innovators required affordable financing, efficient payment systems, infrastructure and access to markets to translate their ideas into viable businesses.
”Universities should move beyond producing graduates who can just pass examinations to those who are equiped with practical skills to solve societal problems.
”I urge the University of Offa to make entrepreneurship, research, innovation and digital skills central to its academic programmes.
”You should also look at strengthening partnerships with industries and other African universities to promote research, mentorship and enterprise development,” he said.
Mahama cited Ghana’s Students Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development Programme (SEED), under the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), as an initiative aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs through training, mentorship and access to funding opportunities.
He urged the graduating students not to be discouraged by failure, describing setbacks as opportunities to learn, adjust and begin again.
He highlighted the longstanding ties between Ghana and Nigeria, saying that their shared history, commerce, culture, and family relationships underscored the importance of closer cooperation.
He called for stronger collaboration among African universities, businesses and young people to make continental integration more meaningful.
Mahama, who recalled his personal ties with Offa, said the community held a special place in his life, having lived there as a young man with his stepmother, Madam Lucy Balogun, a daughter of the community.
He said that the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, conferred on him the traditional title of Aare Atolase of Offa Kingdom during his visit to the community in 2015.
He congratulated the traditional ruler on his investiture as the university’s first Chancellor and commended the institution’s founder, governing council, management, staff and other stakeholders for establishing the university.
Mahama described the Class of 2026 as pioneers whose contributions would help shape the institution’s future.
He urged the graduates to build businesses, institutions and solutions that would create opportunities, serve communities and contribute to Africa’s development.
He also commended parents, guardians, lecturers and university staff for their contributions to the graduates’ achievements.
Mahama expressed optimism that the University of Offa would continue to grow and that relations between Ghana and Nigeria would remain strong.
He prayed for the continued development of the university, Offa community, Nigeria, Ghana and the African continent.
Gov. AbduRahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara who was represented by his deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi in his remarks, assured of public private partnership (PPP) adding that government is committed to supporting educational development in the state.
He advised the graduating students to continue learning so as to be self reliant, urging them to be good ambassadors of the school.
NAN
